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Original poster

Paying to attend child's party?

550 replies

arachnidpearl · 01/02/2022 11:15

Would welcome views on this.

My DS has been invited to a child's party on Sunday. It's at an activity place with a climbing wall then food afterwards. Accepted invitation weeks ago, have bought card and gift etc.

We've been sent a message yesterday from birthday child's parent last night which says that all children under 8 must be supervised by an adult each, which is ok with me I don't mind staying (would rather not, but it's not the end of the world) but that in order to stay and supervise we have to buy a full price adults ticket, which costs £25!

Is this usual? It seems a bit of a cheek to me!

OP posts:

StonedRoses · 01/02/2022 12:41

Something isn’t right. My local climbing wall is only £10-£15 for an adult to climb - depending on what gear hire is needed. But that is for a competent climbing adult who is turning up to climb themselves and has passed their belay (tying in and controlling ropes) checks etc. Theres no way a random person would be allowed to belay without having first passed their assessment. In fact last week at our wall MrsJ - who is also a competent climber - wasn’t climbing, just belaying, due to injury. They let her in for free and just charged myself and DS

Something doesn’t add up

Sally872 · 01/02/2022 12:42

I would expect stay to supervise, or if your would like to climb it is £25. Why is it £25 to watch?? There must be a miscommunication somewhere.

Starlightstarbright1 · 01/02/2022 12:43

Have you phoned the Venue OP.. Explain you are 7 months pregnant

TabithaHazel · 01/02/2022 12:43

I've been to parties at venues where adults usually have to pay, but for parties the ticket price is waived for accompanying adults (or is part of the venue hire cost I guess). I would suspect the parents are trying to get parents to help pay for the cost of the party. Not cool not being upfront about it. I think I would probably find an excuse not to make it - £25 just to watch your child is ridiculous.

Momijin · 01/02/2022 12:43

I think the host should pay for entry ticket but at the very least, it should be highlighted in the invitation. That's a bit much to suddenly spring on a parent!

MajorCarolDanvers · 01/02/2022 12:44

That is very poor form asking parents to pay. The host should have checked this all out before booking the party. I wouldn't be happy at all.

Plus at age 8 parents never stay at parties where I live.

Beautiful3 · 01/02/2022 12:45

Thats cheeky. A party should not cost you money! I'd decline, on that basis.

Dottychickens · 01/02/2022 12:46

Phone the venue and check (you could always just ask about the party costs in general instead of saying what party mom is charging).

I’ve organised (and kids been invited to) loads of parties like this and never seen a £25 spectator charge!

The most was £2.50 per adult and I paid it anyway as part of the party cost. Normally they just ask you to buy coffee while you wait.

I think she’s either got confused and it’s £25 fit a group of adults, or she’s getting you all to pay for the party. If it’s the latter, I would cancel going.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 01/02/2022 12:46

The party parents are getting ppl to pay for the party. They're scammers. Don't fall for it.

adviceneeded11 · 01/02/2022 12:46

my daughter is having a party at our local Clip n Climb and theres no fee for parents of the children who are just going to 'be there'. Doesn't sound right at all.

MargotEmin · 01/02/2022 12:47

Please please please phone the venue, I'm dying to know just how cheeky your friend is being (on a scale from very - to off the chart!)

arethereanyleftatall · 01/02/2022 12:47

I wouldn't assume the parents are trying it on, I would assume they've fucked up massively and are now panicking. I agree with those up thread who've said - they hadn't booked the party option which is generally more expensive, they'd just booked 8 kids individually - and have now read the ts amd cs.

godmum56 · 01/02/2022 12:47

I find this quite odd that an untrained parent is expected to supervise a child on a climbing wall....and being made to pay for the privelege is even odder. I can get parents of young children needing to be there in case they are needed but they shouldn't be responsible for the child's safety.

ApolloandDaphne · 01/02/2022 12:51

That's is very cheeky. I agree you need to confirm with the venue if this is indeed the case.

JuergenSchwarzwald · 01/02/2022 12:51

they hadn't booked the party option which is generally more expensive, they'd just booked 8 kids individually - and have now read the ts amd cs

but even then it wouldn't be £25 to watch/supervise

caringcarer · 01/02/2022 12:52

At the Snowdome they have a climbing wall. All children have to watch a little safety video first for 8 mins then they go in about up to 20 at once and there are 2 climb instructors we ho go around clipping and unclipping the children. Parents stand around watching but no charge. I wonder if they have not booked a birthday party which includes climb instructors but just chil places. I would say child can no longer go. £25 is a lot on top of present and card and climbing sessions only last 30 mins. At Snowdome they charge about £9 per child for 1/2 hour. I think adult prices are only a bit more.

LovelyLovelyWarmCoffee · 01/02/2022 12:55

They have to cover the cost of all guests including mandatory supervisors! Quite rude to ask you yo pay in my opinion.

emmathedilemma · 01/02/2022 12:56

You probably don't even need to call the venue, chances are they have a website.....i've just checked our local climbing centre and "clip n climb" for age 4+ is £22.50 per session for 2 people. Adults must supervise their children although it's not entirely clear what the age limit for this.

Raindancer411 · 01/02/2022 12:57

@arachnidpearl Has the mum said to pay her or the place on arrival? That maybe telling as to if she is trying her luck.

As others have said call the place to check.

Hankunamatata · 01/02/2022 12:57

The parents has massively messed up. Iv delayed parties like this for a year take make sure all the children are above the age. I'm guessing they didnt think about children being under 8

Tulips21 · 01/02/2022 12:58

I would'nt pay, meaning my child could no longer attend- how cheeky of venue!

arethereanyleftatall · 01/02/2022 13:00

@JuergenSchwarzwald

they hadn't booked the party option which is generally more expensive, they'd just booked 8 kids individually - and have now read the ts amd cs

but even then it wouldn't be £25 to watch/supervise

That's a good point.

Maybe the parents are just completely trying it on 😂😂😂

Op -please report back!!

Howshouldibehave · 01/02/2022 13:01

That’s madness-what are you going to do?

Gilmorehill · 01/02/2022 13:01

I think you have every right to question the parents on this. Surely supervision doesn’t need to be 1:1 anyway, apart from the ludicrous costs.

JugglingJanuary · 01/02/2022 13:02

Nope. I've lost track of how many climbing parties I've taken kids to & hosted. Never been charged entry & climbing venues have instructors for the number of kids you book for. Paid for party room & catered OR paid venue to cater. No charge for any parents.

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